San Gabriel

San Gabriel

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San Gabriel is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is named after the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel (which in turn was named for Archangel Gabriel), founded by Junípero Serra. The city grew outward from the mission and in 1852 became the original township of Los Angeles County. San Gabriel was incorporated in 1913. The city's motto is "A city with a Mission" and it is often called the "Birthplace" of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. At the 2010 census, the population was 39,718.

History

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish to Alta California, the area that is now San Gabriel was inhabited by the Tongva Native Americans, whom the Spanish called the Gabrieleño. The Tongva name for the San Gabriel region has been reconstructed as Shevaa.[10]

The Mission San Gabriel Arcángel served a pivotal role in the colonial Spanish society, with many of the area's first Mexican settlers being baptized at the mission, including future governor Pio Pico, who was born in 1801 at the mission and baptized there the same year. He was appointed as California's governor twice, serving briefly in 1832 and again from 1845 through the Mexican–American War. Later in life, he was elected as a Los Angeles City councilman.[12] The city of Pico Rivera was named to honor him as the last governor of California to be born in Mexico.[13]

In 1853, a company of Army Engineers, who included the geologist William P. Blake, passed by the mission in search of the best route for an intercontinental railroad. Blake observed that the once great vineyards had fallen into wild disarray. Fences were in disrepair, and animals roamed freely through the property. But, the mission bells were ringing, and the church was still in use. Blake predicted, "I believe that when the adaptation of that portion of California to the culture of the grape and the manufacture of wine becomes known and appreciated, the state will become celebrated not only for its gold and grain, but (also) for its fruits and wines."[14]

In the first United States census made in California in 1860, 586 people lived in San Gabriel. By the time of General Law Incorporation on April 24, 1913, the city's population had grown to 1,500.[14]

The Census reported that 39,266 people (98.9% of the population) lived in households, 34 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 418 (1.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 12,542 households, out of which 4,542 (36.2%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,668 (53.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,961 (15.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 965 (7.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 481 (3.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 76 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,121 households (16.9%) were made up of individuals and 800 (6.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13. There were 9,594 families (76.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.47.

The population was spread out with 7,866 people (19.8%) under the age of 18, 3,555 people (9.0%) aged 18 to 24, 11,335 people (28.5%) aged 25 to 44, 11,388 people (28.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,574 people (14.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

There were 13,237 housing units at an average density of 3,193.3 per square mile (1,232.9/km2), of which 6,168 (49.2%) were owner-occupied, and 6,374 (50.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%. 19,974 people (50.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,292 people (48.6%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, San Gabriel had a median household income of $56,388, with 13.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[citation needed]

2000

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 39,804 people, 12,587 households, and 9,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 9,639.3 inhabitants per square mile (3,721.2/km2). There were 12,909 housing units at an average density of 3,126.2 per square mile (1,206.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 33.40% White, 1.06% African American, 0.83% Native American, 48.91% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 12.36% from other races, and 3.34% from two or more races. Those identifying as Hispanic or Latino (of any race) were 30.71% of the population.

There were 12,587 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.52.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $56,720, and the median income The per capita income for the city was $24,816. About 9.5% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Ethnic culture

San Gabriel Square

The city boasts a mixture of Asian, European, and North American cultures.[21] Second- and third-generation Chinese Americans patronize its diverse array of stores and eateries.[22] There is the 12-acre "San Gabriel Square" mall, sometimes referred to as the "Chinese Disneyland".[21] It was also nicknamed by the Los Angeles Times as "the great mall of China."[23][24] This stretch of exotic Chinese shops and bold architecture, with roofs of Spanish-style tile, is the model for the new ethnoburbs recently recognized in places like Las Vegas and Houston.[21] The conglomeration of restaurants and cafes, shops, markets, hair and nail salons, Asian video stores, health services, department stores, plus an extensive jewelry mart, provides 'something for everyone', from purchasing an expensive diamond and shopping for designer suits, to buying soy milk or a travel package to Las Vegas or China.[21]

These were the ten neighborhoods in Los Angeles County with the largest percentage of Asian residents, according to the 2000 census:[25]

City government

Five Councilmembers are elected by the voters to serve a four-year term. The Mayor is appointed annually by the Council in a rotation among its members. The City Council is also the Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors.

The city's first Chinese American mayor was Chi Mui in 2006. He symbolized San Gabriel's rise as the new center of the region's Chinese community. He died of cancer three months later.[22] Mui was replaced by Albert Y. M. Huang, who served as mayor during his term. Huang submitted his resignation October 19, 2010 following a late-night domestic dispute with his girlfriend and subsequent arrest. Huang has since been cleared of all charges.[27]

City services

San Gabriel won a record $4.6 million park grant that will fund San Gabriel's first new park in this century, for the proposed Marshall Community Park project. This the first time a joint venture between the City and Garvey School District has been planned.[28]

Adult Recreation Center and Senior Center, 324 South Mission Drive

Bovard-Wilson-Hayes House and Jail

Grapevine Park and Arbor, 324 South Mission Drive

Parks Office, The Parks and Recreation Department offers an after school sports program and a summer playground program for San Gabriel youth. Along with these programs, the Department provides a variety of trips and special events throughout the year for youth of all ages.

County services

Scandal

Arrest of Mayor Albert Huang

On Friday October 15, 2010, Mayor Albert Y.M. Huang was arrested on suspicion of battery, robbery and assault, two felonies and a misdemeanor. He was released on $100,000 bail. He resigned from the office of Mayor and from the council on October 19, 2010, at the city council meeting that evening. He declared his innocence even though he was observed driving away from the scene of the altercation at approximately 45 mph, with a woman clinging to his car.[30][31] According to the police, a security guard from a nearby business saw Huang and the female subject fighting and detained them until police could arrive.[32]
Huang resigned after he was arrested and posted bail.[33]
Huang has since been cleared of all charges.[34]

Residency challenge against Councilman-elect Chin Ho Liao

In 2013, Council member-elect Chin Ho Liao threatened to file a lawsuit with the City Council alleging that Liao was not a residing citizen of San Gabriel, thus being ineligible to serve on the council. Liao, an unsuccessful candidate for office in 2011, was one of three candidates duly elected on March 5 (one re-elected) and subsequently defeated one of the two incumbent council members.

The council, which included both the said outgoing incumbents, voted not to seat Liao due to a residency challenge made by resident Fred Paine. Paine alleged that Liao's tax returns, health records and other paperwork did not show that Liao had lived within San Gabriel's city limits prior to the election. Liao in response provided evidence that he was living in an apartment within city limits since November 2012 and was then searching for a permanent home in San Gabriel at the time of his campaign. Hearings were held on April 30, with Liao receiving the backing of U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, state senator Ed Hernandez, and state assemblyman Ed Chau.

The challenge was rejected by the city council on May 6 by a 3-1 vote. with Mayor Sawkins, Councilmembers Costanzo and Pu voting to reject the residency challenge, and Councilmember Harrington being the sole vote sustaining it. Liao was sworn in the following day.[35][36][37]

Media

San Gabriel community news are covered by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, a paid daily newspaper, as well as by Mid-Valley News and San Gabriel Sun, which are community weeklies.

Economy

A busy section of Valley Boulevard

Top employers

According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:[38]

Transportation

In 2008, voters approved the measure, proposition 1A for the California High Speed Rail Project from San Diego to San Francisco.[39] The project will be constructed in two segments. The San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim project is scheduled to be built first, at a cost of $43 billion, with a completion date in 2029.[39] The second phase of the proposed railway, from Los Angeles to stations in San Diego will not begin construction until after phase one is completed. The California High-Speed Rail Authority is responsible for planning, designing, and building the system.

Conceptually, the voters were very enthusiastic about a high speed railway. The reality of the possibility that it could impact their neighborhood and their homes is being met with steadfast disapproval. When the California High-Speed Rail Authority recently met with the city councils and residents of San Gabriel, El Monte, Rosemead[40] and Alhambra, to discuss the four proposed routes for phase two, the members of the three city councils expressed that residents were very concerned that the railway could possibly end up in their backyards.[39] Mayor David Gutierrez said "We made a promise to the community that the city of San Gabriel will never allow anything like this to happen if there is any consideration that people might lose their home."[39] No decisions will be made until environmental impact and evaluation of the various proposed routes are completed in 2014.[39] Alhambra city councilwoman, Jessica Keating,
maintained that city representatives, who had initially appeared to agree with the proposal, admitted they were "caught asleep at the wheel."[40]

Education

The city of San Gabriel is served by the San Gabriel Unified School District. They state: "It is the mission of the San Gabriel School District, in partnership with the Community, to prepare its students for their future as productive citizens and lifelong learners..."[41]
The 2009 API school reports has recognized the San Gabriel Unified school district as one of the top school districts in California. Gabrielino High School consistently ranks as one of the highest achieving schools, as it ranks with some of the highest scores possible among public high schools in California.[42]

Elementary schools

There are five public elementary schools in San Gabriel, all of which are named after former Presidents:

Clairbourn School is a coeducational preparatory day school, pre-K through 8th grade in an environment harmonious with the teachings of Christian Science.[50]

Little Flower Montessori School, Grades Pre-K through 5th.

San Gabriel Christian School-- Is an accredited member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The school provides a strong Christian education program for over 600 students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.[51]